[Carry_Okie]

So, they hold that the tortoise is not harmed by grazing but won't take a position on the listing and subsequent rulings?

Typical trade association, a bunch of cowardly weasels playing musical chairs with FedGov running the sound.

[Valpal1]

You have to realize, most of them also have grazing contracts than can revised or revoked, should they piss off the BLM overlords.

[Black Agnes]

Sounds to me like they might be afraid they’ll be the next Bundy. Wonder how many of them utilize BLM property to graze and water their herds...

[B4Ranch]

“The most complete data is from the Beaver Dam Mountains. Woodbury and Hardy reported a tortoise population density of 150 per square mile in 1948. BLM reduced cattle grazing a few years later and eliminated cattle in 1970. Coombs reported a tortoise density of 39 per square mile in 1974. In these 26 years cattle use was reduced 100 percent and tortoise numbers were reduced 74 percent.

“These tortoises were doing so poorly a veterinarian, Dr. Jarchow, was consulted. He reported all six specimens were suffering from osteoporosis caused by a protein deficiency in their diet. Dr. Jarchow examined five specimens from the same mountains that shared their range with cattle. He reported these specimens were all healthy and well nourished.

“The historical record proves conclusively that tortoise thrive when cattle are on the range with them and without cattle grazing they are always malnourished and unhealthy and their numbers plummet.

http://www.vinsuprynowicz.com/?p=80